Felicity Ann

[seapainting]

I am doing a painting which includes Ann Davison's yacht "Felicity Ann".

In her book "My ship is so small" she refers to the main sails being dyed blue at the time of purchase but doesn't mention if she changed the colour prior to her Atlantic voyage in 1952/53. Can anyone confirm whether the sails were blue on this trip. It's impossible to tell from the B&W photos in the book other than they were not white. I do know she did subsequently purchase a pair of twin staysails which were white.

Also if you happen to know the colour of the deck paint and rubbing strake that would be great. I know this is a tall order but maybe some of the other"oldies" out there can help. Thanks

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by seapainting on 16/08/2002 07:57 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[firstspirit]

Dear Seapainting,

I must confess that my interest was drawn by 'no interest' being given your posting. I also confess that I do not know Felicity Anne or Anne Davidson. As you will find out, alot of ignorant people use these forums, (that's not meant to sound rude, it's the truth, and I'm one of them!) and users improve their knowledge as time goes by!

I perfectly understand your concerns in getting it right. You are obviously an artist who cares about their work and authenticity. However, given that this person actually took the trouble to mention in her book, the colour of the sails, I am inclined to believe that if she had ever changed them, that this would also be worth mentioning somwhere?

May I kindly suggest that you paint them blue. Consider your artistic licence, and the integrity of using the best available information at the time of painting. If anyone at a later date brings new light to your situation and you have in fact painted the sails the wrong colour first explain the above and then poke them in the eye!

Best of luck,

Regards,

Firstspirit.

 

[Mirelle]

Blue sails

These were rather popular amongst yachts for many years.

The last "fleet" that had them were Blackwater Yacht Charters' boats in the 1960's. They were copied from French fishing boats, such as tunnymen, which very often dyed their light weather canvas blue, with the working sails dressed with red ochre.

Continuing this tradition, I have a blue tow foresail and topsail with red dressed working canvas - and I get some very strange looks and comments, because the tradition has been lost.

 

[seapainting]

Re: Blue sails

Thanks for your responses and additional historical background. I have now started the painting with blue sails.

 

[Mirelle]

and a citation from Hiscock....

"Voyaging Under Sail", 1st edition, 1959, page 48, on a page devoted to treating canvas sails with various preparations to reduce the risk of mildew: "Incidentally, blue dyes are fast, reds and browns fade readily."

I suspect that the sails were indeed blue. I fancy there is a black and white photo in Humphrey Barton's "Atlantic Adventurers", which might provide an indication as to whether they were white or not.